Chastity and the Internet

It seems to me that a spiritual journey isn't as manageable as it was centuries ago. Saints of old may have only struggled with their inner urges to lust, whereas we today are continually bombarded with much immorality in our mass media.

I am very disturbed whenever I arrive in Manila via bus. The first thing that would present itself before the eyes of all who enter Manila from the north is a gigantic tarpaulin of a movie star clad only with underwear.

As I was again leaving for school, I chanced upon an EWTN show where the guest told the audience (sorry I forgot who the guest was): "Saints of today will be better off than saints of long ago, because the latter encountered the world with satan leashed. Saints of today will have to live holy lives in a world where satan's works are everywhere, satan unleashed."

One of the greatest temptations offered to people who really try to live chaste lives today is the internet. For alas, aside from its being very informative and convenient, it has also been made a vehicle for sexual immorality. I will be a liar if I will not say that I have never been victimized by such.

This calls to mind the gospel for today, Friday.

Matthew 5:27-32 (NIV): "You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.

And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. "It has been said, 'Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.'

But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery.

I am reflecting over the two things that Christ suggested: cutting off one's eyes and hands. Adolescent boys, particularly, will recognize how the human body is much given to sexual urges, and I personally take this excerpt as a sign that Jesus expects all His followers to lead chaste and pure lives, dedicated to Him.

Let me go back to my sharing on the Internet. As I was struggling (I still am) on the temptations offered by the internet, even while doing this blog, I searched for a heavenly companion to pray for me as well as all the people who seek help in using the Internet properly. I then encountered Saint Isidore of Seville.

Saint Isidore of Seville
(from http://saints.sqpn.com/sainti04.htm)

Also known as
Isidore the Bishop, Schoolmaster of the Middle Ages

Memorial

4 April

Profile

Son of Severianus and Theodora, people known for their piety. Brother of Saint Fulgentius, Saint Florentina, and Saint Leander of Seville, who raised him after their father's death. Initially a poor student, he gave the problem over to God and became one of the most learned men of his time. Priest. Helped his brother Leander, archbishop of Seville, in the conversion the Visigoth Arians. Hermit.

Archbishop of Seville c.601, succeeding his brother to the position. Teacher, founder, reformer. Required seminaries in every diocese, wrote a rule for religious orders. Prolific writer including a dictionary, an encyclopedia, a history of Goths, and a history of the world beginning with creation. Completed the Mozarabic liturgy which is still in use in Toledo, Spain. Presided at the Second Council of Seville, and the Fourth Council of Toledo. Introduced the works of Aristotle to Spain.

Proclaimed Doctor of the Church by Pope Benedict XIV in 1722, and became the leading candidate for patron of computer users and the Internet in 1999.

Born

c.560 at Cartagena, Spain

Died

4 April 636 at Seville, Spain

Patronage

computer technicians; computer users; computers; the Internet; schoolchildren; students.

Before logging into the internet, it may be best to pray this prayer first.

Prayer to Saint Isidore of Seville before logging into the Internet

Almighty and eternal God,
who created us in Thy image and bade us to seek after all that is good,
true and beautiful,
especially in the divine person of Thy only-begotten Son,
our Lord Jesus Christ,
grant we beseech Thee that,
through the intercession of Saint Isidore,
bishop and doctor,
during our journeys through the internet we will direct our hands and eyes only to that which is pleasing to Thee
and treat with charity and patience all those souls whom we encounter.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen

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Saint Ignatius and Saint Isidore, please pray for the Internet, that it may serve as another way to let the world know about the love of our Lord Jesus Christ. Bless us through your intercession. Amen.

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Photo credits: http://images.jupiterimages.com/common/detail/26/55/22975526.jpg, http://www.st-isidore.org/graphics/stisidore.jpg, http://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/Pictures/StandardBibleStoryReadersBook5/images/scan0029.jpg